Adsorption of antimonite and antimonate from aqueous solution using modified polyacrylonitrile with an ultrahigh percentage of amidoxime groups

Porous modified polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with an ultrahigh percentage of amidoxime groups (UAPAN) was synthesized for the first time and used to adsorb antimonite (Sb(III)) and antimonate (Sb(V)) from aqueous solution. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Zeta potential , X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and density functional theory (DFT) were adopted to characterize UAPAN and explore adsorption mechanism. Moreover, batch experiments were performed to investigate the influence of various adsorption parameters, including initial pH, contact time, temperature, coexisting ions and reusability on adsorption capacities. Results showed that the maximum adsorption capacities for Sb(III) and Sb(V) were 125.4 and 177.3 mg g −1 , respectively, which were much higher than those of other adsorbents reported in literature. The adsorption thermodynamics was evaluated, indicating the spontaneous and endothermic adsorption. The adsorption isotherm was suitable to be modeled by Langmuir isotherm ( R 2 > 0.96). Results of FT-IR, Zeta potential and XPS indicated that adsorption was involved with electric charge attraction and ligand exchange. DFT further explained that better adsorption of Sb(V) on UAPAN than that of Sb(III) was caused by the higher adsorption energy, more favorable bond lengths and atom charge density. Accordingly, UAPAN is expected to be a compelling candidate for antimony decontamination from aqueous environment.